114 research outputs found

    THE KINEMATICS OF OVERGROUND SPRINTING IN TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES WITH PREVIOUS HAMSTRING INJURIES

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    The purpose of this study was to examine the kinematic characteristics of lower extremity and long head of the biceps femoris (BFlh) muscle length during overground sprinting in track and field athletes with previous unilateral hamstring strain injuries. Ten male college sprinters with a history of hamstring injury performed a maximum effort sprint on an athletic track. Three-dimensional kinematic data were recorded during sprinting, and the hip and knee joint angles and musculotendon length of the biceps femoris muscle were calculated. The previously injured limb displayed delayed peak hip flexion and increased knee flexion compared with the uninjured limb, placing the BFlh muscle at decreased length during the terminal swing phase of sprinting

    Tissue-specific splicing regulator Fox-1 induces exon skipping by interfering E complex formation on the downstream intron of human F1γ gene

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    Fox-1 is a regulator of tissue-specific splicing, via binding to the element (U)GCAUG in mRNA precursors, in muscles and neuronal cells. Fox-1 can regulate splicing positively or negatively, most likely depending on where it binds relative to the regulated exon. In cases where the (U)GCAUG element lies in an intron upstream of the alternative exon, Fox-1 protein functions as a splicing repressor to induce exon skipping. Here we report the mechanism of exon skipping regulated by Fox-1, using the hF1γ gene as a model system. We found that Fox-1 induces exon 9 skipping by repressing splicing of the downstream intron 9 via binding to the GCAUG repressor elements located in the upstream intron 8. In vitro splicing analyses showed that Fox-1 prevents formation of the pre-spliceosomal early (E) complex on intron 9. In addition, we located a region of the Fox-1 protein that is required for inducing exon skipping. Taken together, our data show a novel mechanism of how RNA-binding proteins regulate alternative splicing

    One-step generation of multiple transgenic mouse lines using an improved Pronuclear Injection-based Targeted Transgenesis (i-PITT)

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    Ohtsuka, M., Miura, H., Mochida, K. et al. One-step generation of multiple transgenic mouse lines using an improved Pronuclear Injection-based Targeted Transgenesis (i-PITT). BMC Genomics 16, 274 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-015-1432-

    Timolol activates the enzyme activities of human carbonic anhydrase I and II.

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    Timolol, a beta-blocker, has been shown to be an effective ocular hypotensive agent when used alone or with carbonic anhydrase inhibitor on ocular hypertensive or open angle glaucoma patients. The effect of timolol hemihydrate on the CO(2) hydration activities of human carbonic anhydrase (HCA) I and II and their reaction mechanisms were investigated. Timolol activates the enzyme activities of HCA I and HCA II. In HCA I and II, the enzyme kinetic results clearly showed that timolol increases the value of V(max) but does not influence the value of K(m). The enzyme kinetic method showed that timolol noncompetitively activates HCA I and II activities through the formation of a ternary complex consisting of the enzyme, the substrate, and timolol. These results indicate that timolol binds apart from the narrow cavity of the active site. AutoDocking results showed that timolol binds at the entrance of the active site cavity in a region where the proton shuttle residue, His 64, of HCA I or II, is placed. The enzyme kinetic and AutoDocking results showed that timolol might weakly bind near the proton shuttle residue, His 64, to accelerate the proton transfer rate from His 64 to the buffer components. It is known that efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase possess a bulky aromatic/heterocyclic moiety and a primary/secondary amino group in their molecular structure. Timolol has a heterocyclic moiety and a secondary amino group, which are typical structures in efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase.Timolol, a beta-blocker, has been shown to be an effective ocular hypotensive agent when used alone or with carbonic anhydrase inhibitor on ocular hypertensive or open angle glaucoma patients. The effect of timolol hemihydrate on the CO(2) hydration activities of human carbonic anhydrase (HCA) I and II and their reaction mechanisms were investigated. Timolol activates the enzyme activities of HCA I and HCA II. In HCA I and II, the enzyme kinetic results clearly showed that timolol increases the value of V(max) but does not influence the value of K(m). The enzyme kinetic method showed that timolol noncompetitively activates HCA I and II activities through the formation of a ternary complex consisting of the enzyme, the substrate, and timolol. These results indicate that timolol binds apart from the narrow cavity of the active site. AutoDocking results showed that timolol binds at the entrance of the active site cavity in a region where the proton shuttle residue, His 64, of HCA I or II, is placed. The enzyme kinetic and AutoDocking results showed that timolol might weakly bind near the proton shuttle residue, His 64, to accelerate the proton transfer rate from His 64 to the buffer components. It is known that efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase possess a bulky aromatic/heterocyclic moiety and a primary/secondary amino group in their molecular structure. Timolol has a heterocyclic moiety and a secondary amino group, which are typical structures in efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase

    ゲンダイ キョウイク ニンゲンロン ニオケル カタリ : 「キョウイク ト ニンゲン」 タンキュウ ノ タビ

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    The main queries in the class Discussion on the Current Education and Humanity are ‘What is humanity?’ and ‘What is education?’ Definite answers to these questions are not expected from the onset. Accordingly, four lecturers explore these themes from different viewpoints, similar to the metaphor of four visually impaired people trying to identify an elephant. This paper presents the findings of the four lecturers ; the observations they compiled while ‘touching’ the elephant−like questions, guided by their own individual research interests and knowledge. The response to the class varied, from criticism that the goals of the lesson appeared too vague or confusing, to positive comments about the opportunity to explore concepts more deeply and the uniqueness of the class. In the lecture of the 2013 academic year, Chikamori talked about support from the anthropological viewpoint, quoting findings from several different research fields. Tanimura shed light on the contrasting difference in the way of looking at children between E.H. Erikson and E. Lévinas. Ota discussed the possibility of development under the adverse conditions which humans face referring to the deconstruction of J. Derrida. Then Hirose introduced the practice of “Steiner Education” and discussed the possibility of application of it in Japanese primary schools based on the views of humanity and education according to R. Steiner. This paper is like an itinerary describing not only the narratives during our journey to explore “Education and Humanity”, but also providing evidence of something tangible which emerged within the individual travelers. It is our hope that answers of one form or another to the questions ; ‘What is education?’ and ‘What is humanity?’ might begin to appear in the process of reading and reflecting on this itinerary

    Aberrant Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Is Involved in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Invasion and Resistance to Therapy

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    Background and Purpose: The major obstacles to treatment of pancreatic cancer are the highly invasive capacity and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) regulates multiple cellular pathways and is implicated in various diseases including cancer. Here we investigate a pathological role for GSK3β in the invasive and treatment resistant phenotype of pancreatic cancer. Methods: Pancreatic cancer cells were examined for GSK3β expression, phosphorylation and activity using Western blotting and in vitro kinase assay. The effects of GSK3β inhibition on cancer cell survival, proliferation, invasive ability and susceptibility to gemcitabine and radiation were examined following treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor or by RNA interference. Effects of GSK3β inhibition on cancer cell xenografts were also examined. Results: Pancreatic cancer cells showed higher expression and activity of GSK3β than non-neoplastic cells, which were associated with changes in its differential phosphorylation. Inhibition of GSK3β significantly reduced the proliferation and survival of cancer cells, sensitized them to gemcitabine and ionizing radiation, and attenuated their migration and invasion. These effects were associated with decreases in cyclin D1 expression and Rb phosphorylation. Inhibition of GSK3β also altered the subcellular localization of Rac1 and F-actin and the cellular microarchitecture, including lamellipodia. Coincident with these changes were the reduced secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and decreased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). The effects of GSK3β inhibition on tumor invasion, susceptibility to gemcitabine, MMP-2 expression and FAK phosphorylation were observed in tumor xenografts. Conclusion: The targeting of GSK3β represents an effective strategy to overcome the dual challenges of invasiveness and treatment resistance in pancreatic cancer. © 2013 Kitano et al
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